'The frick just happened?' I asked.

'It's called shadow traveling.' Neeks said. 'And I can't do it all the time; a jacket only bought me five licences.'

'Good to know.' I said. 'But I meant—'

'Again; that didn't happen.' Neeks said. 'Will and I have a very casual relationship as far as the world knows. Shut your Beyonce hole about that, or I'll send you to Lethe.'

'What's Lethe?'

Neeks walked away like Craig David.

'So; did you get our quest prophecy?' I asked from where I stood.

Neeks stopped and slapped his forehead. 'Styx'

'Does Chiron even know about this quest?' I asked.

'I forgot; okay?' Nico said.

'What were you doing when you left?'

His ears turned red. 'Stuff.'

'Yuck!' I screamed.

'It's—'

'Babes, don't even talk to me.' I warned. 'You were to do something important; and you went off— gross!'

'Dude—'

'For shame, Nicoló.' I turned away. 'Don't you know that's why God destroyed—'

'It's not what you think!' Nico yelled. 'First I did some research. Then I went off with Will; but not to do— gross.'

'Research for your wedding?' I asked, turn in back to him.

'Very funny.' Nicoló said. 'Research about Artemis. I also learnt almost nothing about… who we're facing.'

'Why are you so secretive about this guy?' I asked.

Nico became all serious again. 'Everyone has secrets, Nicola. I have mine, and you have yours.'

'Nice lecture, Victory.' I said. 'Who is he? What's his name? That's all I need to know.'

I felt like Bridgit Mendler, staring in the eye of a hurricane; when Neeks looked calm, dangerous, and dead serious. 'His name is—'

'Eros.' Some guy said. 'Cupid; as he's more popularly known. But he prefers Eros.'

In the past four days, I'd seen a lot.

I had seen a donkey vampire whitewakler, a centaur, Neeks singing, and my real father. I had seen a black haired Ed Sheeran and a goddess get bitch slapped by The Invisible Legal Bastard.

But daaaaaaang; this was cool. To be specific; hot. Handsome. Wow.

Our perfect intterupter wore black clothes, had russet wings, brunette hair put crew cut that he totally rocked by the way, and in total looked a lot like what you get what you cross Nick Jonas and an athletic Justin Bieber without the tattoos; and by a lot I mean better.

He was not happy.

'So you are the chosen.' He said. 'The Masked One must be desperate.'

'Who are—'

'Pothos.' He said. 'Enough with introductions; because I know you. You are still a laughing stock at our board meetings, Nicoló di Angelo.'

'Peter?' Nico asked.

'Patricia?' I asked.

'How does my name form Patricia, Nicole?' Patricia said.

'Tomato; Patricia, jerk.' I said. 'Don't diss my brother like that.'

'Should I tell you what he did?' Pothos asked.

'Yeah— I mean, no.' I stood my ground. 'You're gorgeous— wait, what?'

'I would've thanked you if we were not against each other.' Pothos said. 'And my beauty is nothing compared to the magnificence of Eros; blah blah blah. Can we move on now?'

'What do you want?' Nico asked.

'I desire nothing,' Pothos said. 'What do you want.'

'To kick your ass so bad you're like the last little piggy.' I said; though I almost said Your bad romance.

'Language, girl.' Pothos warned.

'Bitch ass.'

'Seriously?'

'Nigga.'

'The proper term is negro.'

'Fuck you very very much,' Creesome played.

'That's my pod.' I said.

'You are not helping your situation.' Pothos turned to Neeks, like he'd be any better. 'You said you found almost nothing about your enemy. Tell me what you found.'

'Why should I?' Nico asked.

'Because I am a god. And I can help you.' Pothos said. 'For a price. The first price is proof if you are worthy.'

Neeks looked at me like; Can we trust this guy?

I looked back like; You're the leader.

Neeks: Babes, I'm just asking.

Me: Well; if he can help us…

'His most popular story about him and Psyche.' Neeks rolled his eyes. 'And I know he's the leader of six other people to make a—'

Neeks looked at me warily. 'group called The Erotes.'

'So a band.' I said.

'That's exactly what I didn't want to say.' Neeks muttered.

'Can you remember the names of these six other people?'

'Why do you ask?' Nico asked.

'Can you?' Pothos asked.

'Alphabetical order or as I see them?' Nico asked.

Hard look from Pothos.

Neeks sighed. 'Anteros, Hedylogos, Hymenaios, Hermaphroditus, Himeros and—'

Nico scowled. 'You.'